The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky during the Price Chopper 4th of July celebration at the Empire State Plaza in Albany N.Y.Wednesday July 4, 2012. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky...

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky during the Price Chopper 4th of July celebration at the Empire State Plaza in Albany N.Y.Wednesday July 4, 2012. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky...

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks during the Price Chopper 4th of July celebration at the Empire State Plaza in Albany N.Y.Wednesday July 4, 2012. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks during the Price...

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky during the Price Chopper 4th of July celebration at the Empire State Plaza in Albany N.Y.Wednesday July 4, 2012. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky...

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky during the Price Chopper 4th of July celebration at the Empire State Plaza in Albany N.Y.Wednesday July 4, 2012. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky...

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky during the Price Chopper 4th of July celebration at the Empire State Plaza in Albany N.Y.Wednesday July 4, 2012. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky...

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky during the Price Chopper 4th of July celebration at the Empire State Plaza in Albany N.Y.Wednesday July 4, 2012. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The bang the booms and the sight of fireworks fill the twilight sky...

Put down that sparkler, kid: With the Fourth of July upon us, New York state is warning citizens about the sort of injuries that can result from non-sanctioned fireworks use, and the legal peril for those who might hand them out.

Fireworks displays are illegal unless organizers obtain the proper permits and secure the assistance of one of the state's 387 DOL-licensed pyrotechnics operators, one of whom is required to be present any time fireworks are being used. In New York, providing a dangerous firework to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor on first offense. If you have more than $50 worth of fireworks, the law assumes you were preparing it for sale.

Some in the business think the state would do better to adjust its blanket prohibition in favor of allowing "ground effects," such as sparklers and spinning fireworks, while continuing the ban on aerial effects such as bottle rockets and Roman candles.

Fireworks can be readily purchased in neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and Vermont.

Hill noted that New York citizens can actually buy a wider range of fireworks in Pennsylvania than Pennsylvania citizens can.

State law there restricts in-state residents to purchase of ground effects, while out-of-state visitors can buy all manner of consumer fireworks provided they "are transported directly out of state by the seller or purchaser," according to the Pennsylvania State Police website.